11 Day Darwin to Adelaide Explorer

This tour will take you smack bang down the middle of the country from North to South. Starting in Darwin, you'll see outback waterfalls in Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park where you'll have the chance to get out of the bus and explore the unique landscapes.From here we head down to the Red Centre via the Daly Water Pub and the Devil's Marbles (Karlu Karlu) before hitting Alice Springs. Take a hike through Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) before checking out the bog rock, Uluru. We offer an indigenous cultural experience and you'll learn more about the local culture. Check out the Opal Capital of the World, Coober Pedy and the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound before arriving in Adelaide where the tour concludes.

Itinerary: day by day

Leaving Darwin, we journey south to the beautiful Litchfield National Park where we visit waterfalls that flowall year round. Take a refreshing swim and enjoy lunch before we travel into Wulna Country and receive a Cul Cul or unique ‘Welcome to Country’ by the traditional owners of the land, the Limilngan –Wulna people^. They’ll share with us their local Aboriginal culture with bush tucker talks, didgeridoo lessons, basketweaving and spear throwing.We finish the day in the spectacular Mary River Wetlands, where the exotic birds are not the only wildlife tosee. Keep a watch for lurking crocodiles on an afternoon river cruise! Climb into your sleeping bag for a wellearnedrest at our secluded Mary River camping spot. (LD)

Day 2 – Mary River to Kakadu

Today we head to Kakadu National Park, World Heritage listed for its stunning natural features and for beingthe centre of the world's oldest living culture. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr before climbing tothe top of a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next we head to Maguk(Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay atour permanent camp in Kakadu National Park. (BLD)﻿

Day 3 – Kakadu to Darwin

Get ready for some 4WD action today as we make our way to Jim Jim Falls, the crown of Kakadu and certainto be one of the trip highlights. Once we get there, we’ll take in the stunning views of this 200m naturalwonder before continuing on to Twin Falls. (Twin and Jim Jim Falls not available year round; subject to seasonal availability^^). See the beauty of the gorge and feel the powerful force of thewaterfalls from a national park operated boat and boardwalk experience. On the way back home, thescenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin in the afternoon. (BL)

We depart from Darwin early and make our way to Nitmiluk National Park. Our first stop is the beautifulEdith Falls for a swim before heading to Katherine Gorge where your guide will take you on a short returnwalk to Baruwei lookout. You can get a postcard shot of the gorge and learn about this stunning area and itssignificance to the local Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Once we finish exploring the gorge we continue ourjourney south to Daly Waters arriving in time for dinner and a beer at the historic Daly Waters Hotel - theterritory’s oldest pub (own expense). We stay overnight in our camp at Daly Waters.

Day 5 – Daly Waters to Alice Springs

We continue our journey south passing through Tennant Creek and onto Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) wherewe have some time to explore the well-known marble shaped boulders, a site sacred to its traditionalowners. There is also one last photo stop as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn before finishing in the heart ofthe Red Centre, Alice Springs.

Day 6 – Alice Springs

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs (overnight dorm accommodation included; meals andactivities at own expense).

Day 7 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru﻿

PICK UP LOCATION: Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am﻿

Today we visit an authentic outback camel farm where you can choose to take a ride and experience thebest in desert transport (at own expense). From here it is off to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for lunch. Explore the 36domes of Kata Tjuta as you get up close to this ancient geological formation during a Valley of the Windshike. Fall in love with the desert sun as it sets over Uluru. Tonight you can sleep in a permanent tent or curlup in a swag (Aussie bedroll) and enjoy a night under the stars. (LD)

Day 8 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

An early start is rewarded with the sunrise over Uluru. While the morning’s fresh enjoy an unguided walkaround the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as youembark on a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).* It is a unique opportunityto share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you will havethe opportunity to see more Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to ourexclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 9 – Kings Canyon to Erldunda

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the formations and towering rock faces of KingsCanyon. You will be left breathless by the size and beauty of the canyon, as we trek through theAmphitheatre and discover the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden, and the North and SouthWalls. We stop for lunch before we make our way back to our campsite for the night at Erldunda. (BLD)

Day 10 – Erldunda to Coober Pedy﻿

We depart early this morning to make our way to Coober Pedy, crossing the Northern Territory/SouthAustralian border. We take a break at the outback town of Marla, where we have a chance to purchase somelunch (own expense) and stretch our legs. The next stop is Coober Pedy, ‘the Opal Capital of the World’.Upon arrival your guide will give you a tour of this unique town, before visiting an underground mine andmuseum for a guided tour. You will also have a chance to purchase some of the opal jewellery producedfrom the mine. Tonight we stay overnight in a unique underground bunkhouse in Coober Pedy.

Day 11 – Coober Pedy - Adelaide

After breakfast we continue the journey South along the Stuart Highway and stop at some of the salt lakes ofCentral Australia for an interesting photo opportunity. We pass by the ‘rocket launching’ town of Woomera— part of a former military test site. Next we make our way to Port Augusta where we stop to enjoy lunch(own expense). We’re on the home stretch now leaving the vast open outback plains behind us and makingour way into South Australia’s capital city Adelaide. (B)﻿

Optional Activities

What to bring

Sturdy walking shoes

hat and sunscreen

towel and toiletries

warm clothing in winter

water bottle

torch

insect repellent

camera

pillow

sleeping bag (can be purchased for $30).

Notes

^^Itineraries may vary and/or attractions be substituted for any cause including seasonal conditions, weather extremes, traditional owner and national park requirements. Note that the opening dates of waterfalls (including Twin and Jim Jim Falls) and attractions vary each year and can change on a daily basis in the wet and shoulder seasons. Visit this website to see live updates on which areas of the park will be open, or contact our Reservations team: http://kakaduroadreport.wordpress.com/ Due to National Park rules and road laws, we cannot guarantee the opening of Twin and Jim Jim Falls and other attractions at any time. Alternative activities will be substituted at the tour guides' discretion, dependant on local conditions. See terms and conditions for full details.

Day 4-5 of this trip is designed to be an express between Alice Springs and Darwin and has a limiteditinerary. The distance travelled is some 1,500km and involves a substantial amount of time on the vehicle.﻿

A tropical summer itinerary applies in Kakadu Nov/Dec-May.

*Where Aboriginal guide is unavailable at Uluru, an Adventure Tours guide will lead the interpretive cultural walk.

^The Aboriginal Wulna-Limilngan cultural experience is only available during the dry season (Apr-Oct) as site is subject to flooding (contact our customer service team for availability). Participants may be absent due to cultural commitments with minimal prior notification and Adventure Tours Australia reserves the right to amend the itinerary in these circumstances with no obligation to refund.

From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40’s. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme outside temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. Conversely, in July and August, very cold temperatures can be experienced in the outback, especially overnight. Please come prepared for all extremes.

This tour requires a sleeping bag. You may bring your own with you or pre purchase a sleeping bag from us.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers on all tours and details must be presented to tour guide before departure.

Package is made up of four separate tours therefore you may travel with a different guide and passengers on each section

It is your responsibility to advise Adventure Tours Australia if you have any special dietary requirements or medical conditions (including allergies) well ahead of departure.

It is you or your clients’ responsibility to contact Adventure Tours with your preferred accommodation pick up point. Please contact our inside sales teams for information on other available pick up points. If we do not hear from you, we will assume you will make your way to our default pick up point as listed on this document. We will not be responsible for missed pick-ups (and a missed tour) if we do not receive notification from you or your travel agent, and if you are not at the default pick up point at the appropriate time.

A STRICT luggage limit of 15kg applies (10kg in Kakadu). Excess luggage can be stored in Darwin.﻿